A PILLAR at the site of a Borders monument was damaged in a “vehicle accident”, according to police.

Officers, who launched a probe into the incident last week, initially believed the structure was defaced in an act of vandalism.

But it has since emerged that the extensive damage to the pillar at the Mungo Park monument, Selkirk, was not down to a criminal act.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “On Thursday (April 28), we received a report of extensive damage to one of the concrete pillars securing the protective railings of the Mungo Park monument, Selkirk.

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“Following [an] enquiry it has been established that the damage has been the result of a vehicle accident and not down to a criminal act.

“We would like to thank all the members of the public who responded to the appeal.”

Following the incident, Alistair Pattullo, of Selkirk Community Council, described the incident as “a real shame”.

The monument is a tribute to explorer Mungo Park, who spent his childhood in the Yarrow Valley and Selkirk.